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Problems for Southland ports as Chinese exports decline

Matthew DeBord

A cargo ship at Long Beach harbor. The Port of Long beach is the leading trade gateway between the US and Asia — but its business may be affected by a slowdown in Chinese exports. Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images

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Exports from China may be contributing to a major-league trade imbalance between the U.S. and the Middle Kingdom, but they are certainly welcome at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where goods stream into the Southland day and night.

Data released Friday showed that the growth in overseas shipments from China had ground to a near halt in July, with exports up just 1 percent from the same month a year earlier, far below expectations and well beneath the 11.3 percent in June.

The slowing of China's economy has been on the minds of economists for a while now. But it may soon be on the minds of Southland residents and workers who depend of trade — deficit or no deficit — for their livelihoods.

Previously in The Breakdown

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